Shoulder instability
treatment
Canberra
What Is
Shoulder Instability?
Ever stopped to consider how much our shoulders achieve for us? This impressive joint is an engine for flexibility and mobility, especially across the upper body. However problems in this area can lead to a range of frustrating conditions, including tendon inflammation and tears, shoulder impingement, and shoulder instability.
Shoulder instability is a common shoulder condition we see at Powerhouse Physio. It involves abnormal movement of the shoulder joint ball, often triggered by trauma or strain from sports and physical activity.
What Causes
Shoulder Instability?
To understand shoulder instability, it helps to have an idea of the shoulder joint anatomy. It’s one of only two joints in the human body to obtain a ball and socket, along with the hip joint. This structure allows for an impressive range of motion.
The shoulder joint includes the following parts:
- The upper arm bone, called the humerus
- The shoulder blade, called the scapula
- The collarbone, called the clavicle
- Supportive muscles, tendons and ligaments
At the top of the arm bone is the ball of the shoulder, or the humeral head. The humeral head is encased within a rounded socket of the shoulder blade known as the glenoid socket. The glenoid and humeral head stay in place thanks to a careful balance of muscles and tissues, including a group of muscles and tendons called the rotator cuff.
Shoulder instability describes the abnormal anatomical movement of the humeral head. If the humeral head moves fully out of the glenoid, the resulting injury is called a dislocation. If the humeral head has only partially come out, the injury is called a subluxation.
The trigger for this abnormal movement and any resulting injuries is stretching, tearing or dislocation of the surrounding ligaments or tissues. This damage may happen for a wide range of reasons.
Trauma From Sport or Accidents
Sudden force to the shoulder or a hard fall can cause a partial or full shoulder dislocation.
Repetitive Strain From Sport
Trauma From Sport or Accidents
Weak or Imbalanced Muscles
Hereditary Factors
Individuals with particularly shallow glenoid sockets from birth may also have a higher risk of injury.
Shoulder Instability
Symptoms
If you have experienced shoulder instability, you may know that feeling of your shoulder “giving away”. This sensation happens when the shoulder joint is dislodged from the socket, often during or after a physical movement, e.g. reaching behind the body or throwing a ball.
In addition to or instead of the “give away”, people with shoulder instability often experience pain in the shoulder or upper arm when undertaking overhead motions, like placing items on a shelf, or twisting the shoulder, as you may do when throwing something or fastening the back strap of a bra.
Other symptoms may include swelling, bruising, or a limited range of motion in the arms or shoulders.
Shoulder Treatment
Options
If you have experienced any of the above symptoms, there are a number of initial steps you can take. These include resting, applying ice, avoiding overhead arm movements, and seeing a physician if needed.
For a detailed assessment and treatment plan, it’s advisable to see a physiotherapist. Their support will make a significant difference in the management and rehabilitation of your shoulder injury or issue.
One of our physiotherapists will take you through the below steps.
Initial assessment
Your physiotherapist will undertake a detailed assessment and discuss your concerns and history.
Personalised Treatment Plan
Manual Therapy
Your treatment may involve hands-on therapy such as joint mobilisation, soft tissue work, and stretching.
Tracking Your Progress
Information and Education
Your physiotherapist will provide guidance on topics ranging from biomechanical issues to posture techniques.
Preventing Further Injuries
Is Shoulder Impingement
The Same As Shoulder Instability?
When we talk about shoulder injuries, shoulder instability and impingement are often mentioned together, or conflated. They share some symptoms, but are two separate conditions.
As discussed, shoulder instability happens when the ball of the shoulder joint is dislodged from the glenoid socket, leading to dislocation.
Impingement occurs when physical movement leads to muscle imbalance in the area and altered movement of the scapula (shoulder blade). This leads to a compression or “impingement” of the rotator cuff tendons.
If you suspect you may have shoulder instability, impingement or a separate condition, reach out for targeted treatment and advice.
More Frequently
Asked Questions
One of our physiotherapists will assess your symptoms and medical history and create a treatment plan suited to your needs. Across one or more appointments, they may administer or recommend a range of practices and techniques, including hands-on manual therapy like joint mobilisation, massage, and soft tissue work, or stretching exercises you can do at home.
You may be eligible for Medicare rebates, such as the EPC program (Enhanced Primary Care) with Powerhouse Canberra. Your eligibility will depend on your Medicare arrangement and the nature of your appointments.
What Do We
Offer?
Local Care
Why travel far and wide for exceptional physiotherapy care? Powerhouse Canberra is proud to service our local Canberra communities, making essential support as accessible as possible.
We Know Sport
We have the skills and expertise to assist a wide range of patients, including professional athletes and sports lovers. In fact, our team members all come from sports-based backgrounds.
Servicing Canberra
Powerhouse Physio is open from Monday to Friday in the National Hockey Centre in Lyneham, ACT. We are proud to deliver local and personalised care to the Canberra community.
Get Back to Sport and
Daily Life With Powerhouse
Whether you’re a professional athlete itching to get back to the game or just want help with an injury, Powerhouse Physio can assist you. From injury prevention and management to sports and remedial massage, our services target shoulder instability and numerous other conditions.
Get in touch with us today to book an appointment and receive personalised care from our friendly physiotherapists.